Edgewood wins ‘most bizarre, ugliest game’

Cougars, Braves combine for 7 fumbles, 4 interceptions, scoreless last 3 quarters.

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By Bob Ratterman, Contributing Writer 12:58 AM Saturday, October 22, 2011

TRENTON — Two long-time rivals mired in disappointing seasons squared off in a strange game Friday night as the Edgewood Cougars scored twice in the first quarter and made it stand up for a 14-0 win over Talawanda.

The teams combined for seven fumbles, and Talawanda’s Andrew Richardson had 133 all-purpose yards, including 62 on interception returns.

Neither coach was happy with the sloppy play, but Edgewood’s Phil Mauro at least had reason to like the outcome of the Fort Ancient Valley Conference Scarlet Division game in which his team moved to 3-6 overall and 2-2 in the division.

“We need to execute better,” he said. “We are not as effective as we need to be. I’m proud of our seniors. They have been warriors all year for us. Any time you pitch a shutout it’s a good deal.”

It was a junior, however, whose name was called the most. A.J. Pieratt carried the ball 28 times for 145 yards and scored both touchdowns on a pair of 17-yard runs, one with 9:16 left in the first quarter and one with 1:32 left in the quarter. Pieratt also caught two passes for 32 yards.

“I thought A.J. Pieratt ran well,” Mauro said.

Both teams lost three fumbles on the evening and Talawanda (0-9, 0-4) recovered one of its own.

For the Braves, Richardson, a senior, was all over the field. He caught three passes for 61 yards, returned two interceptions for 62 yards, and returned a punt for 10 yards.

“Andrew played like a man possessed,” Talawanda coach Mike Wright said. “He did things on both sides of the ball.”

Mauro said his team, which has won two of its last four games, has been getting better as the season has gone on, and he had hoped the fumbles were behind them.

“Fumbles. We’ve definitely had more than our share,” he said. “We need to do a better job (of taking care of the football).”

Cougar quarterback Eric Pelfrey completed 9 of 19 passes for 154 yards, with two interceptions. He also carried the ball 15 times for 43 yards.

On the other side, Talawanda quarterback Colin Kimiecik passed 24 times, completing eight for 90 yards while throwing two interceptions. His longest completion was a 28-yarder to Richardson.

Talawanda’s biggest threat of the night came in the third quarter when it had a long drive aided by some Edgewood penalties. The Braves had first-and-10 at the 11, before a penalty moved the ball back to the 24, a sack to the 35 and a penalty after their punt on fourth-and-34 gave Edgewood the ball at its own 46.

“It was the most bizarre, ugliest game I’ve ever been a part of,” Wright said.

Edgewood will close the season with a game at Ross on Friday, while Talawanda will try again for its first win of the season on the road at Northwest.

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